Equipment Guide

Welcome to the New Scout Pages Equipment Guide!

Here you will find a lot of practical information on just what kind of stuff to buy now that you are a Scout. There is information on buying basic equipment to what is needed for an ultra-light jaunt on the trail. Remember though, that you don’t need to go buy everything at once. The Troop does have some loaner gear like backpacks and tents. Talk to a Troop Quartermaster or Senior Scout to find out about these items.

See Also

New Scout Equipment Guide

As your boy enters Boy Scouting he must make a commitment to pursuing the ideals described in the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. As he gets into camping, very often a sizable financial commitment must be made to purchase outdoor equipment. Many of us have purchased several “generations” of equipment; tents, bags, and boots (and lots more) that we used for one season (or less) and then upgraded. This “trial and error” method can be expensive, and the wrong equipment can ruin a camping experience. The purpose of this guide is to help new scouts and their parents in selecting from the many choices available in camping equipment, in hopes that your first choices will serve you well. Because of the large amount of equipment involved, value can be important. This guide tends to emphasize backpacking equipment. Equipment designed for backpacking will almost always work adequately for site camping, but equipment designed for site camping will rarely work well backpacking. In preparing this guide, I have drawn on resources such as Backpacker Magazine Annual Equipment Guide, Backpacker.com, GORP.com, REI.com, Campmor.com, my own experience and preferences, and, of course, the Boy Scout Handbook and Fieldbook (see ‘Gearing up!’).

One of the first (and most important) questions every parent of a new Scout asks is: “What do I need to buy for my son?” Good question! Unfortunately, this critical topic is handled in only very general terms in your son’s Scout Handbook and Fieldbook. Every Scoutmaster has seen his share of beginner Scouts absolutely atrociously outfitted despite the expenditure of hundreds of dollars by well meaning parents – a financial disaster for the parents and a physical disaster for the Scout! It is not enough to know that your son needs a sleeping bag or a flashlight – the specifics are vital – and you also need to know what not to buy. Herein is a summary of my thoughts on how best to proceed in outfitting your Scout.

Lesson Number One:Your boy is going to lose things! Most items that are small, dark colored or (sadly, but true) extremely desirable to Scouts in other Troops tend to have unusually high mobility. Therefore, it is in your best interest to: A) Label all gear with name tags or specific markings (orange paint, etc.); B) Buy bright colored lower quality substitutes for younger Scouts (ages 10 through 11); C) Avoid camouflage or other dark gear that blends into the scenery; and D) Be patient and understanding.

Lesson Number Two: “Buy to Size.” Don’t subject your son to a “Bataan Death March;” although you’ll be tempted to buy oversized equipment (“He’ll grow into it”), don’t do it! Overweight or oversized gear will run your boy right into the ground – and a few months later, you’ll be yard selling everything off at 10 cents on the dollar because: “I really don’t like Scouting very much” (bad experiences on the trail do this!).

Backpacks

Overnight backpacks can basically be broken down into two types; external frame and internal frame.

External frame backpacks will usually be easier to pack and organize, be less expensive, and much more forgiving to the casual user. This is the type that I recommend for Scouts and most adults, considering the type of backpacking that we do. My favorites of these are the classic JanSport externals. They range in price from $89-169, depending on size and features. The JanSport “Scout” ($89) is the right backpack for most Scouts. Larger boys or adults may want to consider the “Rainier” or their top-of-the-line external “Olympic”. Camp Trails and Kelty also offer nice external frame packs at reasonable prices. Outdoor products has a short frame external backpack sold through Campmor for $39. This may also be worth looking into.

Internal frame packs are excellent for “fast-packing” and climbing, and are quite comfortable – if they are packed correctly. These are what you want if you go on an ascent or a long, high-terrain change trip. A good internal will cost $175-500. Dana Designs, Arcteryx, Gregory, The North Face and Lowe make very good internals in the middle to upper end. Kelty, JanSport, REI and others are offering pretty good internals at the lower end of the price range.

In Troop 456, we normally take two or three backpacking trips in a year. We will normally be out on the trail one or two nights. There is no need to buy a pack that would be more suitable for a through-hike of the AT. Look for a pack with a hip belt and sternum strap (which can be purchased separately), and plenty of strap loops for attaching pads, tents, or sleeping bags. Going to Philmont when your son gets a little older and a little more experienced is another issue entirely and not addressed here.

Try to keep the weight of the pack itself down to 3 1/2 pounds or less. This can be a challenge, but is worth the effort. That Jansport Scout fits this bill.

Boots

Boots can make a big difference in how much you enjoy a hike. That doesn’t mean that you should spend $175 for a pair of boots that a Scout will outgrow in a year. Backpacking and hiking boots need to be sturdy, water resistant, and stable. They should offer good ankle support. Really fine hiking boots from Vasque, Merrill, Raichle, and others can cost $125-250. Good, serviceable, entirely adequate boots by Hi-Tec, Timberland or Nike, for example, can be had for $50-75 and sometimes less (I just bought a close out pair of Hi-Tecs for $29!). Look for all leather or leather and nylon construction with few seams. Use Sno-Seal to waterproof boots. Even inexpensive leather work boots from Wal-Mart or Kmart work well as long as you make sure they fit right and are treated with Sno-Seal.

Socks

Socks really are more critical than boots. A Scout should have at least two pair of sock liners and hiking socks. Sock liners are made of silk or polypropylene. I recommend “poly”. Smart Wool outer socks are best, but synthetics like Thorlo’s will work too. Winter or summer, layering socks like this keeps your feet dry and blister-resistant. A hiker will fare better with poor boots and good socks than with good boots and poor socks.

Hiking Stick

A hiking stick is not just for looks. If you ever use a staff once, you’ll never go backpacking without one. You can buy telescoping anti-shock poles or you can use a simple stick (or anything between). For Scouts, I recommend the stick. It will work just fine, and you won’t be out $75 when it gets left in the woods.

Clothing

The correct clothing is critical to comfort and safety. Layering is the only way to dress for outdoor activity. Outdoor wear should consist of a wicking layer, insulation layer(s) and a shell. Winter or summer, the first layer should be polypropylene. The outer layer should be something wind and water-resistant. Parkas, jackets or pants made of breathable laminates, such as Gore-Tex, make ideal shell layers (my favorite is Marmot’s Precip Jacket and pants). Fleece or down make great insulation layers. Remember to avoid cotton wherever possible. Cotton holds water. This can very literally make the difference between life and death in bad circumstances. It will make a big difference in comfort even in the best circumstances. Silk, wool, polypropylene, and nylon are best. Great outdoor clothing can be purchased at REI, Sierra Trading Post.com, Fogdog.com and Campmor.com (check out their kid’s size XL rain parka and pants). I’ve also found some of my favorite outdoor wear, particularly fleece, at Old Navy. Wal-mart and K-mart often have acrylic flannel shirts that are good for cold weather camping and cost less than $15, as well as fine foam sleeping pads and lots of other stuff. Just resist the temptation to buy the big stuff here, they don’t typically have quality in the larger pieces. Sunny’s can be a good place to get certain gear, also.

Headwear

Headwear is another area that is often neglected. The proper headwear can make a big difference. In winter, a wool or polypropylene fleece (again, cotton is very bad for winter use) stocking cap is absolutely essential. A hat (or cap) in the summer can prevent sunburn, improve visibility, and significantly add to comfort on the trail or in camp. Polypro Balaclava’s are also excellent for warmth in almost any condition. They are made in light (silk weight), medium and heavy weights. I have all three but a light and heavy should do nicely for most conditions.

Camp Chairs

A camp chair is really nice to have for “plop-down” camping. I recommend buying the kind at Wal-Mart. It doesn’t matter if the frame is made of cast iron or titanium – you won’t be carrying it backpacking. (I have, however, recently discovered a small backpacking stool that weighs about a pound and is small enough to carry on a backpack. This may be worth considering for some backpackers.) Cascade Designs markets a sling that converts a Therm-a-rest sleeping pad into a chair. They are fairly expensive, but pretty light and comfortable. You could also use a hunk of closed cell foam (say 12”x18”) and lean back against a tree!

Tents

With tents, trial and error can be costly, and most people overbuy or under buy. Bigger is not better! Scouts are best served with a two-man tent of reasonable quality with a full rain fly. Here in Maryland, a three-season tent (with full rain fly) is adequate for year-round use. A good two man tent should weigh 5 pounds or less. A “freestanding” type tent is best for most uses. A tent should be simple to set up. Tents are available in discount stores for $19 and up, but these tents provide very little shelter in rain, cold, and / or wind. Mountaineering tents can cost up to $1000 or more, but are overkill for the kind of camping that we do as Scouts. My personal favorite Scout values are the Kelty Teton 2 (4lbs5oz! $69 at BobWards.com), REI’s Half Dome or Quarter Dome, and the L.L. Bean Microlight 2. A tent should be set up on a ground cloth ( a/k/a floor saver, footprint). Tents are rarely supplied with them, although many tentmakers market them as options. Custom sized nylon footprints are great, but usually cost $25 or more. 3-6 mil poly sheeting works well too, and costs next to nothing at your local hardware store. These tents also happen to be sized just about right for using $10 “space blankets” as floor savers. They are very light and will also reflect some body heat.

Lanterns

Almost everyone has a Coleman lantern. If you have one it’ll work fine for most camps, but I don’t recommend that you go out and buy one if you don’t already have one. Propane and battery lanterns have come a long way – and they are safer and far easier to use than liquid fueled lanterns. A large battery lantern can be nice inside the tent on plop-down trips.

Flashlights & Headlamps

While a flashlight is an essential, you really don’t need a very big one. Two small 2-AA battery flashlights, such as “Mini-Maglights”, will serve a backpacker or site camper better than a large 2 or more D cell flashlight.

Headlamps are pretty handy and can replace a flashlight for almost any use. There are many models available, the latest (and lightest) being the LED models, which weigh next to nothing and batteries last 50 hours! My favorite is the Petzl Zipka.

Knives

In Boy Scouts, we prohibit the use of fixed-blade knives. A simple lock-blade knife is adequate. Swiss Army knives are also good choices, and many Scouts like “multi-tools”, which tend to be a little heavy for backpacking, but sure can come in handy at times. In my experience, boys lose knives. Think about this before purchasing a $50 knife.

Stoves

There are basically two types of stoves: backpacking stoves and camp stoves.

Camp Stoves: These are usually two burner stoves used for site camping and fueled by white gas or propane. This Troop has camp stoves for patrol cooking, and you don’t need to buy one.

Backpacking Stoves: Backpacking stoves are small one-burner stoves fueled by propane, butane-propane, or white gas. For Scouting, I recommend staying away from liquid fuel stoves. Butane-propane is easy to use, and is much, much safer than white gas. Primus, Coleman, and MSR make great, economically priced stoves starting at about $20. Top-of-the-line models can cost as much as $100 or more. The simple $20-50 units are more than adequate for our purposes.

Gloves

Needless to say, gloves are very important in cold weather. Choose a glove that insulates when wet. I prefer fleece gloves and waterproof shell mittens, but most Scouts will be better served with a variety of ski glove which can be purchased just about anywhere in season.

First Aid Kits

Each Scout should assemble his own first aid kit as a requirement for advancement to the Second Class rank. The contents of this kit are described on page 289 of the current Boy Scout Handbook (11th edition). Remember, the requirement is for the Scout to assemble it!

Sleeping Bags

For cold-weather camping, a good sleeping bag is very, very important. Sleeping bags are usually either rectangular or “mummy” shaped. Most campers and backpackers prefer mummy shaped bags because they offer more warmth with less bulk and weight. Bags are filled with either down or synthetic fillers such as Hollofil, Prima-Loft, or Polarguard. Ounce for ounce, down is the warmest and most compressible, but is relatively expensive and does not insulate well when wet. Most campers will find a synthetic fill bag rated to 15°F adequate for year-round camping in the mid-atlantic region. Remember that the temperature rating assumes conditions (such as a heat reflecting sleeping pad and tent) that are not always present. A good sleeping bag can be purchased for $50-100. It is not unusual to see high-end down bags priced as much as $400. I recommend a mummy bag that weighs no more than 3lbs and is rated to at least 20, preferably 15.

Sleeping Pads

A sleeping pad is not an unnecessary luxury. In the winter, they can be critical. A sleeping pad insulates the body from the ground, which will rob the body of heat through conduction. “Therm-a-rest” self inflating pads are ideal, but will typically cost from $40-80. There are many other suitable alternatives, such as inflatable air mattress(summer only) and closed-cell foam pads, priced from $5-25.

Cook Kits

When site camping, Scouts will normally cook and eat in patrol groups. This necessitates that relatively large pots, pans, and utensils be used. Each patrol should get all the necessary gear for cooking patrol style from the Troop quartermasters. Each Scout should bring his own eating utensils, a cup, and plate / bowl.

While backpacking, Scouts will usually cook for themselves and with one or two buddies. For this type cooking, a Scout should have a compact and lightweight cook kit consisting of a 1-1½ quart pot with lid, a plate / bowl, and eating utensils (usually just a lexan spoon). Lightweight aluminum pots work fine. Titanium, also excellent, is also available at a higher cost. I recommend Lexan for plates, bowls, flatware, and cups. It is lightweight, nearly indestructible, easy to clean, and inexpensive.

Water Filters and Bottles

We are fortunate in this part of the country to have streams almost anywhere we hike and camp.

When backpacking, I recommend that Scouts carry at least 2 quarts of water from the start. A Scout should, then, have two 1-quart water bottles. Any camping supply store will have adequate water bottles. Nalgene bottles made of Lexan are the standard for canteens and are indexed for measurements. Platypus collapsible bottles are great for carrying a backup water supply while backpacking. Empty 1 liter soft drink bottles also work fine.

Many Scouts like to use hydration systems. These work great, but the bladders must be kept clean (and Scouts often don’t). They should never be used with flavored drinks or mixes.

Water from streams or lakes needs to be filtered or treated. Giardia, cryptosporidium and other protozoa, bacteria, and viruses live in the water and must be dealt with before ingestion. Water can be treated by boiling, filtering, or with chemicals. Boiling is best, but is often inconvenient. Chemicals are inexpensive and easy to use, but require 30-60 minutes to work. Some chemicals can leave an unpleasant taste. Filters are instant and convenient, but can be heavy and sometimes complicated. Good filters will cost $50-150. I recommend a chemical kit for most new Scouts. Look for one that leaves no taste, such as Polar Pure. Many older Scouts and adult leaders have filters and don’t mind sharing.

Personal Items

There are some personal items that all Scouts or Scouters should carry whenever hiking or camping. A comb, toothbrush and toothpaste, ½ roll of toilet paper in a Ziploc bag, a small plastic trowel for digging “cat holes”, a small towel, sunscreen, lip balm, insect repellant are examples. These items are best kept together in a mesh “ditty bag” so they can be found easily and will not be forgotten.

Compass

Every Scout or Scouter should have a compass. A simple liquid filled compass with index (lubber) lines will work fine. Silva and Suunto offer excellent Scout compasses priced from around $10.

Shopping For Gear

Outdoor gear can be purchased locally in retail stores such as REI, Dick’s, Sports Authority, Sunny’s and discount stores such as Wal-Mart, Kmart, or Target.

Anything you might need for outdoors can also be found online. Often online outfitters offer quality discontinued merchandise at (relative) bargain prices. Keep in mind that some items, such as boots, are best tried-on.